The social distancing champion: Gabriola Island man sailing solo

In a time of social distancing, one man is doing it flawlessly.

In fact, Gabriola Island resident Bert terHart hasn’t seen another human since January.

The 62-year-old is currently on a solo mission to do what no North American has ever done before: complete a non-stop circumnavigation via the five great capes, without the aid of electronic navigational devices.

“I think it just seemed to him to be the hardest most difficult thing to do and he decided he better do it sooner rather than later,” said his sister Leah, who resides in Victoria.

Leah and others have helped provide support in any way they can from back here in B.C. ever since he departed back in October.

But it hasn’t been completely smooth sailing.

While he may be safe from COVID-19, but extreme weather has turned what was supposed to be a six month trip, to now possibly nine.

“He’s looking at 100 kilometre an hour winds, 10 metre waves which are approximately four-times the size of my house, and he’s on a very small boat, so we’re always worried for him.” Leah said.

terHart is not the easiest man to get a hold of these days. He’s currently in the south East Cape, near Tasmania.

However, CHEK reached him on his satellite phone, and despite battling through a rough connection, he was able to share some words of inspiration.

“I’m just hoping to inspire people who have the craziest dreams, because I think adventure is alive and well anywhere on the planet,” terHart said.

And inspire he has.

Students from all over the globe are now following his journey through his blog, or via Instagram 

“We’ve got as far as Kenya, Africa. A small rural school has bee emailing us with questions for Bert what it’s like to be in the ocean. New York, Winnipeg, we have about two thousand students following,” said Leah.

If the rest of the journey goes as planned, terHartwill sail back through the Georgia Straight in early July.

Likely changed from the journey, to a much changed world.

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